Chandler Unified School District students had a ball entertaining Sun Lakes residents.
Chandler High Entertains
On Feb. 12 the Theatre Arts Departments of Chandler Unified School District joined Sun Lakes Community Theatre membership and many of their neighbors at the San Tan Ballroom to show off their amazing talent. From monologs to full-on song and dance numbers, the students had the crowd cheering and applauding for more. “The abilities of these kids are just astounding,” one attendee stated. “We go to professional theater a lot, and these kids could absolutely be on stages like that!”
Each year SLCT invites drama students from the local high schools to promote their upcoming shows, improv troupes, and to receive a gift of support for their Theater Arts programs. At the end of the school year, a graduating senior will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue their education in the field. “It’s important for us to encourage these creative minds and to help them follow their aspirations,” says Roger Edmonds, the education liaison to the SLCT Board of Directors. “It was great that so many residents of the HOAs came to enjoy the students. Going to their productions provides a great night out for us seniors, too!”
In addition to the already performed Little Women by Chandler High and Basha High’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Perry High School will be performing Puffs on April 4, 5, 10, and 11, and Hamilton High will perform Mamma Mia on April 3, 4, and 5. Visit their websites for information.
Cari Scholes and Mark Wenz rehearse their roles for A Tale of Two Spectators. Both actors are excited about working on this play.
SLCT to Present a One-Act Showcase
Andrea Hummel
Since 1998, Sun Lakes Community Theatre (SLCT) has presented a variety of live productions to entertain the Sun Lakes community and beyond. The productions have covered all genres, from comedy and mystery to exciting dramas.
This spring, SLCT is offering a change of pace. Instead of the usual two-act play in the spring, three one-act plays will be staged in the San Tan Ballroom April 30 through May 4. Each short play will have a different cast, a different director, and a different story.
“It’s exciting that our audiences will get to see three different shows in one sitting,” said Kate King-Turner, current SLCT president. “We’re actively looking for a variety of ways to bring theater arts to our patrons, not just full-length plays, although those will always be performed as well.”
The three one-act plays are A Tale of Two Spectators, directed by Howard Hummel, featuring Cari Scholes and Mark Wenz; Pandora’s Revenge, directed by Kate King-Turner, featuring Ginger Henry and Anna McCauley; and The Naked Man on the Couch, directed by Sally Holbert, featuring Jess Alberts, Sally Holbert, Jim Janowski, and Phyllis Novy.
This is Holbert’s first time directing for SLCT. She commented, “I am excited to bring this hilarious one-act play to life. It’s about three roommates who find themselves in a real pickle when they wake up in the morning and find a stranger asleep on their couch. Come and see for yourselves what happens next.”
Director Howard Hummel is pleased to be working on a one-act play with a small cast. “Directing a one-act play with a cast of two allows both the cast and the director to fully explore all of the nuances in relationships that bring these characters to life.”
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at www.slctinfo.com, and in-person sales begin the same day. For more information, call 480-382-6290. Ticket sales dates for the One-Act Showcase will be as follows. Dates and times have been confirmed with the three HOAs. Internet sales from our website will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2.
In-person sales are scheduled for the following dates:
April 2 from 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of SLCC (HOA 1)
April 3 from 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Oakwood clubhouse (HOA 3)
April 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dance Studio at Cottonwood (HOA 2)
April 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at SLCC (HOA 1)
April 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dance Studio at Cottonwood (HOA 2)
April 18 from 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Oakwood clubhouse (HOA 3)
Mark your calendars so you don’t miss an evening of very special entertainment put on by your friends and neighbors. You won’t want to miss this one!
Variety Show a Hit!
The Second Annual Winter Dinner and Variety Show, sponsored by Sun Lakes Community Theatre, was a huge success! Fourteen acts entertained audiences for two hours of skits, singing, dancing, poetry, piano playing, parody, comedy, and magic. Participants were residents from all over Sun Lakes or their family members. HOA 2 residents Nancy and Dave Patterson were the organizers of the event and did an outstanding job of lining up the talent and making sure it all ran smoothly. Audience members were impressed. Notable comments heard were, “Fabulous job, really an awesome show!” “Really adds to enjoying life in Sun Lakes! Bravo!” “Talent was great! Something to be proud of and continue doing!”
And continue it will. Plans are already in the making for next year’s Winter Variety Show, so if you have a latent (or obvious) talent, start preparing now. Maybe you’ll be the next star of the show!